Main navigation

VPSW Elections: Interview with Calvin Hepburn

What do you think is the biggest problem facing sport/wellbeing at Strathclyde and how do you plan to resolve that problem?

We’ve had so many kit issues recently. We’ve had the same supplier for several years now and the customer service has been terrible. It is such a basic issue to fix. A new contract has been written up so if I am elected I will help to implement that. Additionally, getting the Union and Sports union to unite has been difficult and I hope to resolve that.

In terms of wellbeing, it would be great to have a kitchen for students to use in every building. Sometimes students don’t have time to go home to cook lunch so it can be really hard to eat healthily and save money when there is nowhere to cook your lunch on campus.

How does your previous experience in the Union qualify you for the role of VPSW?

I am the President of the Tennis Club and Media Officer of the Sports Union, so I have been promoting all sports clubs this year and have an understanding of what students need. I will be off to a fast start because I know what I am doing from the beginning. I will try to resolve issues that the Sports Union already has and I am keen to make people aware of the different funding options available for their sports clubs or teams. For example, the external facilities fund is not currently used very often.

What do you offer that the other candidates don’t?

I have the most experience and the most enthusiasm for the job. I am hugely involved in a range of different sports within the university. Sport is about more than just involvement. I will bring drive and enthusiasm to the role, and I am keen to get more people playing sport. It would be good to get everyone involved in some way, without feeling intimidated through lack of experience.

What has this year’s VPSW done well and what needs to be improved?

Ann-Marie has been very proactive within the sports union and whenever there has been a problem she has tried to solve it. However, it would be worth making it a team effort by making the union and sports union one entity instead of two separate things. It requires a hands on approach. We could make it even bigger, and it will be easier to get involved if we have a closer, tighter-knit union.

A refreshers week will be crucial in gaining members who missed freshers’ week. If we get more people to events like that, we get more people to be active. It may be beneficial to encourage all clubs to have a trial week so everyone can go and not be intimidated.